MLB 2016/2017 Offseason Thread of Hope, Dreams, and Overpaying Dudes From Other Countries

By blackace Go To PostThank you Frank!

Giants signed RHP Mark Melancon to a four-year, $62 million contract.

Melancon still needs to take a physical, but general manager Bobby Evans made the deal official on Monday. It was a virtual certainty that the Giants were going to bring in a closer this winter after all the problems they had in the ninth inning in 2016. They didn't want to pay up for Kenley Jansen or Aroldis Chapman but were willing to hand Melancon what is currently the largest contract ever for a reliever. Melancon will turn 32 in March.

By blackace Go To PostChapman seems like he is going to blacklist himself wanting 6 years and shit..

Phillies signed RHP Joaquin Benoit to a one-year, $7.5 million contract.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com first reported that the two sides were close while Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported the contract terms. Benoit finished strong with the Blue Jays in 2016 after coming over from the Mariners, putting up a 0.38 ERA and 24/9 K/BB ratio in 23 2/3 innings before tearing a calf muscle. The good news is that the 39-year-old has already begun running in preparation for 2017. He'll serve in a set-up role with his new team.

Red Sox acquired RHP Tyler Thornburg from the Brewers for INFs Travis Shaw and Maurico Dubon, RHP Josh Pennington, and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The Red Sox paid a big price in the way of players, but Thornburg comes cheaper in the way of money than the going rate for relievers in free agency. The 28-year-old broke out in 2016 by posting a 2.15 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 67 innings. He even saved 13 games late in the year, though he’ll be setting up for Craig Kimbrel with his new club. Thornburg will be arbitration-eligible this winter, so he’s under team control for three seasons.

Milwaukee landed a considerable haul here, though only Shaw will help in the short-term. He figures to take over at third base while Jonathan Villar will move over to second base. Shaw, 26, batted .242 with 16 homers and a .726 OPS in 2016. As a left-handed batter, he should be in a good position to deliver value with his new team.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox will acquire left-hander Chris Sale from the White Sox.

Oh baby. The Red Sox are paying a big price, as top prospects Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech are involved, as well as outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe and prospect right-hander Victor Diaz from the Red Sox. The White Sox are shifting into a rebuild and they managed to land a considerable return package in giving up their ace. Moncada is one of the top position prospects in the game while the hard-throwing Kopech could be a fit as a late-inning reliever if he doesn't make it as a starter. Basabe, 20, is another one of Boston's top 10 prospects. He batted .264/.328/.452 with 12 homers and 25 steals over 110 games this season between Class A and High-A. Diaz, 22, has yet to pitch above A-ball, but he owns a 3.00 ERA and 98/41 K/BB ratio over his first 93 innings of relief in pro ball. The deals are likely just beginning for the White Sox.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, MLB officials told international scouting directors on Tuesday that that there will be no exception in regarding to the international spending limit if Japanese right-hander Shohei Otani is posted next offseason.

As part of the new collective bargaining agreement, there will be a new hard cap (around $6 million) on international spending for players 25 years old and under. There was some speculation in the media about a possible special exception in the case of an amazing talent like the 22-year-old Otani, but as of now, MLB officials aren't willing to do that. In other words, Otani would land a deal significantly below what he could receive if he waits until 2019. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported over the weekend that the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters were planning to post Otani after the 2017 season.

By Malo Go To PostChapman back to the Yankees 5/86. GG cash.

By Fenderputty Go To Post5 years on a fast ball pitch closer seems kinda … like it a not good deal

According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, free agent Kenley Jansen has agreed to a five-year, $80 million contract with the Dodgers.

Jansen flirted with the Marlins and Nationals, but it might have been to simply drive up the price. He has made it very well known that he feels comfortable in Los Angeles, and that's where he'll head back to for the 2017 season and beyond. Jansen, 29, registered a brilliant 1.83 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and 104/11 K/BB ratio in 68 2/3 innings this past year for the Dodgers. It should be noted that Aroldis Chapman came out of this offseason with the richest contract ever for a reliever at five years, $86 million. Mark Melancon held it for a day or two at four years, $62 million.

Rays signed C Wilson Ramos to a two-year, $12.5 million contract.

The deal was agreed to last Tuesday night, during the Winter Meetings, and then finalized Monday morning in the Tampa Bay area. Ramos is on the long road to rehab from major knee surgery (ACL, meniscus tears) and probably won't be an active player for the Rays until sometime next June. But he can DH for a while and then showcase himself as a legitimate catcher in 2018 before hitting free agency again at age 31. It's a nice deal for all parties involved. Ramos was probably looking at a five- or six-year kind of offer in free agency before the late-September knee injury.

Angels acquired INF Danny Espinosa from the Nationals for RHP Austin Adams and RHP Kyle McGowin.

Both teams have confirmed the trade. Espinosa is expected to be the starting second baseman for the Angels, replacing Cliff Pennington atop the depth chart. Espinosa broke out with 24 home runs this season but the new-found power came with a dismal .209 batting average. He is a plus defender and should combine with Andrelton Simmons for an elite double-play combo. The trade salvages Espinosa's fantasy value. He was looking at a utility role if he stayed in Washington but should be an everyday player in Anaheim. Despite the low batting average, he does enough of everything else to be considered a decent but not ideal starting option at second base for fantasy purposes.

The 25 year old Austin Adams is a right-handed reliever with an enticing strikeout repertoire and very little control over it. He registered a nice 3.05 ERA and punched out 61 batters in 41 1/3 innings this year at Double-A but issued 24 free passes. He is likely to begin the season in the high minors but could get a call to the majors fairly quickly if he can keep the walks within reason.

Kyle McGowin (also 25) reached Triple-A for the first time this year and struggled, putting up a 6-12 record with a 6.11 ERA in 116 1/3 innings spread over 22 starts. The Pacific Coast League is a tough place to pitch due to small ballparks at high elevations, so that explains some of his difficulties but definitely not all. He struck out 98 batters while walking 46 – a ratio that needs improvement if he is going to make the grade in the major leagues. He'll likely continue to start in the minors for now, but the bullpen is likely his best avenue to the majors.

Diamondbacks signed RHP Fernando Rodney to a one-year, $2.75 million contract.

The deal, which was first reported on Wednesday, includes incentives that could push the total value to $5 million. Rodney was Dr. Jekyll with the Padres (0.31 ERA, 33/12 K/BB ratio over 28 2/3 innings) and Mr. Hyde with the Marlins (5.89 ERA, 41/25 K/BB ratio over 36 2/3 innings) last season, but, of course, inconsistency is nothing new with him. He'll turn 40 just before Opening Day but will get a chance to close in Arizona.

Marlins signed C A.J. Ellis to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.

The agreement was reached last Wednesday during the Winter Meetings and then finalized Monday after Ellis passed his pre-signing physical in Miami. He'll work as an active backup to Marlins starting catcher J.T. Realmuto after slashing .216/.301/.298 in 196 plate appearances this summer between the Dodgers and Phillies. Ellis hit .238/.355/.403 over 217 plate appearances with Los Angeles in 2015.

Marlins signed RHP Dustin McGowan to a one-year contract.

The exact financials have not been released, but it's probably something close to $3-4 million with incentives built in. McGowan enjoyed a bounceback out of the Miami bullpen in 2016, registering a 2.82 ERA with 63 strikeouts across 67 innings. He'll operate in a setup or mid-relief role in 2017.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Dodgers' deal with Justin Turner, when officially completed, is for four years and $64 million.

It looks like less than what Turner was expected to get going into the offseason and probably just shows how badly he wanted to re-sign with the Dodgers. Turner, who turned 32 last month, batted .275/.339/.493 with 27 home runs for Los Angeles in 2016 and graded out superbly in defensive metrics, as well. He'll hit in the middle of the Dodgers' order again in 2017.

By Enron Go To Postlol @ all these relievers getting paid. Why would you ever pay a closer that kind of money. Why.

Rangers re-signed OF Carlos Gomez to a one-year, $11.5 million contract.

The deal was reported last week and it's now official. Gomez finished strong with the Rangers this past season and his agent, Scott Boras, said that he turned down multi-year offers elsewhere in order to return to Texas. He could set himself up for a nice contract next offseason if he can bounce back over a full season. As of now, Gomez projects to open 2017 as the Rangers' starting center fielder.

Mychal Givens has committed to pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

This confirms a report from Marly Rivera of ESPN. Givens, 26, should be an important late-inning arm for Team USA after posting a 3.13 ERA with 96 strikeouts over 74 2/3 innings this past season.

Rockies signed INF/OF Ian Desmond to a five-year, $70 million contract.

Desmond will be officially introduced in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. The contract took many in the baseball world by surprise, but barring a pursuit of Mark Trumbo, the Rockies plan to use Desmond at first base in 2017. Desmond batted .285/.335/.446 with 22 homers, 86 RBI and 21 stolen bases with the Rangers this past season and finds himself in another great spot for fantasy value. The Rockies surrendered their first-round pick (No. 11 overall) in order to sign Desmond.

By Enron Go To Postlol @ all these relievers getting paid. Why would you ever pay a closer that kind of money. Why.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports confirms that the Dodgers have agreed to a four-year, $64 million contract with third baseman Justin Turner.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal was first to report those terms on Monday, and now it sounds like an official announcement will be coming soon from the Dodgers. $64 million is a lot less than what most people thought Turner would command on this weak free agent market, but he likely turned down larger offers to remain in Los Angeles. He was born in Long Beach, won a College World Series with Cal State-Fullerton in Orange County, and has obviously enjoyed great success in Dodger blue since being cut loose by the Mets in 2013. Turner, 32, slashed .275/.339/.493 with 27 home runs and 90 RBI in 151 games for Los Angeles in 2016. He boasts an .856 OPS (136 OPS+) over the last three seasons and also contributes pretty good defense at the hot corner.

According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Orioles have signed free agent catcher Welington Castillo.

It's a one-year, $6 million deal with a $7 million player option for a second year. Castillo has been linked to the Orioles ever since being non-tendered by the Diamondbacks. Now that it's done, we know that Matt Wieters' tenure in Baltimore is officially over. Castillo, who turns 30 in April, batted .264/.322/.423 with 14 home runs and 68 RBI over 113 games with the Diamondbacks this past season. Baltimore should be a good spot for fantasy purposes.

White Sox signed LHP Derek Holland to a one-year, $6 million contract.

Scott Merkin of MLB.com reported that the two sides were close while Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News passed along the contract details. Holland hasn't made 30 starts in a season since 2013, but the suddenly-rebuilding White Sox could flip him at the trade deadline if he has a resurgence. He probably would have better odds at that in the National League. The 30-year-old southpaw posted a 4.95 ERA and 67/35 K/BB ratio over 107 1/3 innings this past season.

Phillies re-signed INF Andres Blanco to a one-year, $3 million contract.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reported the contract terms. Blanco has been very productive in a utility role over the past three seasons, putting up a .274/.337/.457 batting line in 523 plate appearances while seeing time all over the infield.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Indians have landed Edwin Encarnacion on a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year.

The deal is worth $60 million guaranteed, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The club option for 2020 is worth $25 million and carries a $5 million buyout, so the deal could max out at $80 million. While it might not be the deal that many expected for Encarnacion at the start of the winter, it's a tremendous move for the Indians. This franchise doesn't typically go this route with free agents, but they are positioned to win right now. Encarnacion, who turns 34 next month, will essentially fill the spot that free agent Mike Napoli had in 2016. Encarnacion turned down a qualifying offer from the Blue Jays, so the Indians will surrender their first-round pick (No. 25 overall) in 2017.

Edwin Encarnacion's agent, Paul Kinzer, told MLB Network Radio on Friday that his client turned down a "(Yoenis) Cespedes-type" offer from the Athletics.

He's presumably referring to the three-year, $75 million contract Cespedes signed with the Mets last offseason, not the four-year, $110 million deal he received this winter. Encarnacion wound up taking $65 million guaranteed from the Indians, with Kinzer noting that the slugger didn't want his family in the Dominican Republic to have to travel to the West Coast. It also surely helps that the Indians should contend in 2017 and the A's likely won't.

Braves and OF Ender Inciarte avoided arbitration by agreeing to a five-year, $30.525 million contract extension with a $9 million club option for 2022.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports first reported the agreement, and the team has now officially announced it. Inciarte is arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason as a Super Two player, so the deal buys out all of his arbitration years plus potentially two free agent years. These kind of contracts almost always wind up being huge bargains for the team as long as the player stays healthy, and this situation is no different. Inciarte is a career .292/.337/.385 hitter and a Gold Glove center fielder who just turned 26 in October.

Athletics signed RHP Norge Ruiz to a minor league contract.

MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports that the Cuban defector will receive a $2 million signing bonus. Ranked by MLB.com as the No. 3 international prospect, Ruiz works in the low-90s and is a groundball pitcher who will turn 23 in March. The right-hander is viewed as nearly big league-ready and should push to be part of the A's rotation at some point next season.

Angels signed OF Ben Revere to a one-year, $4 million contract.

ESPN's Buster Olney first passed along the contract details, and Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports says the outfielder can earn $2.25 million more through plate appearance incentives. Revere was a disaster with the Nationals last season, batting just .217/.260/.300 in 103 games, but nagging injuries likely played a big part in that. He was a career .295/.328/.348 hitter prior to 2016 and should see plenty of playing time in left field for the Halos.

Marlins signed RHP Brad Ziegler to a two-year, $16 million contract.

He can earn more through incentives. Ziegler is 37 but was as effective as ever in 2016, posting a 2.25 ERA for the Diamondbacks and Red Sox. He'll be used in a setup role ahead of A.J. Ramos in Miami but could potential step into the ninth inning if Ramos scuffles.

By Enron Go To PostI am pretty excited about the Barves next year…probably won't win 90 games obviously and might not even be .500 but I think they'll be close and fun to watch. I'm even looking into moving to the stadium…went to a presentation not long ago but man it's so expensive. The place I want would run like 1700/mo :/

By Enron Go To Postwell the units aren't IN the stadium, they are part of the whole live/work/play community they've designed around the stadium.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the Giants are showing "continued interest" in Korean third baseman Jae-gyun Hwang.

Hwang held a showcase for roughly 20 MLB teams back in November, but there's been little in the way of chatter since. The 29-year-old owns a .285/.349/.433 batting line over 10 seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization. He slugged 26 homers over 118 games last year with the Lotte Giants. Adding Hwang would give the Giants additional flexibility as they look toward 2017. Eduardo Nunez could be an option for left field depending on how things play out this winter.

Reds signed RHP Drew Storen to a one-year, $3 million contract.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported the contract terms. The deal includes $1.5 million in performance bonuses and a $500,000 assignment bonus if he's traded. Storen has extensive closing experience, but he's coming off a shaky year where he posted a 5.23 ERA and 48/13 K/BB ratio over 51 2/3 innings between the Blue Jays and Mariners. He was better after joining the Mariners, though he also missed some time with shoulder inflammation. He'll now try to get his career back on track in Cincinnati's bullpen, likely in a set-up capacity.

Athletics signed OF Rajai Davis to a one-year, $6 million contract.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported the contract terms. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, Davis could earn an additional $100,000 if he reaches 500 plate appearances, $150,000 for 550 plate appearances, and $200,000 for 600 plate appearances. The 36-year-old led the American League with 43 steals in 2016 while batting .249/.306/.388 with 12 homers and 48 RBI over 134 games. He's probably better off in a part-time role, but the playing time should be there in Oakland's outfield.

By The Frankman Go To PostSTUNNED. He left at least 25 million on the table, and when you compare it to what Fowler/Cespedes got… wow. Read the FanGraphs Justin Turner piece I linked for context.

Friday afternoon the Orioles and Mariners got together for relatively small one-for-one trade. Outfielder Seth Smith goes to Baltimore for right-hander Yovani Gallardo. The O's are also sending cash to Seattle to help cover Gallardo's contract. Both teams have announced the trade.

Not long after sending Seth Smith to the Orioles in exchange for Yovani Gallardo, the Mariners on Friday also traded right-hander Nate Karns to the Royals for outfielder Jarrod Dyson.

Dyson, 32, is a standout defensive center fielder who's also stolen 176 bases in 550 career games while being caught just 30 times. For his career, he's also taken the extra base and impressive 64 percent of the time. With the bat, he's hit .260/.325/.353 across parts of seven big-league seasons. In 2016, he put up an OPS+ of 94 in 107 games for Kansas City.

MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports that the Rangers have reached an agreement with Tyson Ross on a one-year contract.

It's unclear how much the deal is worth, but it figures to be loaded with incentives. Ross had thoracic outlet surgery last October and is a question mark for Opening Day, but it's hard not to like this move by the Rangers on a one-year gamble. If the righty can regain his stuff from 2013-15 (3.07 ERA, 526 strikeouts in 516 2/3 innings), the Rangers will have a dynamic arm.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Diamondbacks have agreed to a contract with Chris Iannetta.

Terms of the deal aren't known at this time, but it will presumably be a major league contract. Iannetta will turn 34 just after Opening Day and has batted a dreadful .199/.298/.332 over the last two seasons, but he should have a shot to play quite a bit in Arizona. His signing is probably bad news for Chris Herrmann, who now might fall back into a third catcher/utility role.

By The Frankman Go To PostDamn they got Dyson? Crap I forgot about MLB stuff… the offseason has been BORING. The Gallardo trade… I dunno, dude looked washed up and done like he ate too many innings. Like the Dyson move though.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today confirms the Padres have signed Trevor Cahill to a one-year, $1.75 million contract.

Nightengale notes that the Pirates, Blue Jays, Reds, and Rangers also made offers to Cahill, but the 28-year-old right-hander wants another shot at starting and San Diego offers the best possible path to a major league rotation spot. Cahill posted a 2.74 ERA, 1.279 WHIP, and 66/35 K/BB ratio in 65 2/3 innings (one start, 49 relief appearances) last season for the Cubs. He'll have to sort out his recent control problems to flourish with the Friars.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports confirms the Phillies have reached a deal with Michael Saunders.

Heyman says the two sides were discussing a one-year contract with an option for 2018. No word yet on the financial details. Saunders struggled to attract significant interest on the open market this winter after his dreadful second half last year in Toronto, but he could make for a good buy-low on the part of the rebuilding Phillies, who had been looking for a left-handed bat. If he gets off to another hot start, the Phils can use him as trade bait at this year's deadline. This had been a slow-going offseason for Saunders, who cratered in the second half last season in Toronto after earning his first All-Star nod with a blistering start. He'll try to improve his stock with the rebuilding Phillies, possibly becoming trade bait for them at some point this summer. Saunders finished with 24 home runs and an .815 OPS in 2016. His first-half OPS was .923. His second-half OPS was .638.

By The Frankman Go To PostWhat the Dodgers have can still get them deep in the playoffs. They just need to stay healthy and improve the #4/#5 starter.

Royals signed LHP Danny Duffy to a five-year, $65 million contract extension.

Duffy filed at $8 million last week in his final turn through salary arbitration, with the Royals countering at $7.25 million. He would have been a free agent next winter and probably could have tried for much more than $65 million with another good season. But for a guy who's been somewhat inconsistent in his six-year MLB career, this is a life-changing amount of financial security. The 28-year-old left-hander delivered a sharp 3.51 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 188/42 K/BB ratio across 179 2/3 innings for Kansas City in 2016. The contract has no club or player options, nor does it carry no-trade provisions.

Former top prospect Andy Marte has been killed in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic.

Marte never reached expectations after being ranked as one of the top prospects in the game back in the early 2000s, but that hardly seems to matter right now. The former Brave, Indian and Diamondback had played the last two seasons in Korea. He turned just 33 last October.

By blackace Go To PostRIP… what a horrible 4 months Latin American players..

Dodgers acquired 2B Logan Forsythe from the Rays in exchange for RHP Jose De Leon.

The Dodgers finally have their second baseman after months of trade talks with the Twins involving Brian Dozier that ultimately led to nothing. They refused to give up more than De Leon for Dozier but have landed Forsythe for De Leon straight up in a deal that makes sense for both sides. Forsythe has batted .273/.347/.444 over the last two seasons and is under team control for $15.5 million through 2018. The Rays have been excellent over the years at acquiring talented, cost-controlled young starting pitching and they've landed another one in De Leon. One of the top pitching prospects in the game, De Leon struggled in his brief audition with the Dodgers last season but has put up sub-3.00 ERAs and gaudy strikeout totals in the minors the last three campaigns. The Rays figure to keep him in the minors for a while to start 2017, but he should be in their rotation at some point in the upcoming season.

Rays signed RHP Shawn Tolleson to a one-year, $1 million contract.

Tolleson flamed out last season after beginning the year as the Rangers' closer and ultimately finished with an ugly 7.68 ERA across 37 appearances. However, he posted a 2.88 ERA with 145 strikeouts over 144 innings with Texas from 2014-15, making him a solid bounce-back candidate on a cheap deal.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Brett Anderson has agreed to a contract with the Cubs, pending a physical.

We can't consider Anderson passing the physical a slam dunk given all his previous physical issues. Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan says the contract is worth $3.5 million and contains incentives that could push the total to $10 million. Anderson didn't have any arm problems in 2016, but he was limited to just 11 1/3 innings with the Dodgers due to back, wrist and blister issues. He's made more than eight big league starts just once in his last five campaigns. However, Anderson has mostly pitched well when able to take the mound, and Rosenthal says the Cubs were impressed by a bullpen session the southpaw threw recently in Arizona. He'll be an option for their rotation, although he might be on the outside looking in as it stands right now.